Pentium 977 vs Pentium E6800

Intel

Pentium 977

2 Cores2 Thrd17 WWMax: 1.4 GHz2012
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Pentium E6800

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 0.33 GHz2010
Similar parts
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Pentium 977 vs Pentium E6800 Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Pentium 977 vs Pentium E6800 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Pentium 977 vs Pentium E6800: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Pentium 977

2012

Why buy it

  • Draws 17W instead of 65W, a 48W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (1,148 vs 1,155).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.6 vs 13.4 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).

Pentium E6800

2010

Why buy it

  • +0.6% higher PassMark.
  • Costs $48 less on MSRP ($86 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
  • Delivers 56.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 13.4 vs 8.6 PassMark/$ ($86 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • 282.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 17W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium 977 better than Pentium E6800?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium 977 is ahead with a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium E6800 pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium E6800 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Pentium 977 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium 977 comes in 55.8% more expensive on MSRP at $134 MSRP versus $86 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium E6800 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 56.8% better value on paper (13.4 vs 8.6 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA775.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Pentium 977 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Pentium 977 vs Pentium E6800 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Intel

Pentium 977

The Pentium 977 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 1.4 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,148 points. Launch price was $134.

Intel

Pentium E6800

The Pentium E6800 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 August 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.33 GHz, with boost up to 0.33 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,155 points. Launch price was $831.

Processing Power

Both the Pentium 977 and Pentium E6800 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.4 GHz on the Pentium 977 versus 0.33 GHz on the Pentium E6800 — a 123.7% clock advantage for the Pentium 977 (base: 1.4 GHz vs 3.33 GHz). The Pentium 977 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium E6800 uses Wolfdale (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium 977 scores 1,148 against the Pentium E6800's 1,155 — a 0.6% lead for the Pentium E6800. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Pentium 977 vs 0 kB on the Pentium E6800.

FeaturePentium 977Pentium E6800
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 2
Boost Clock
1.4 GHz+324%
0.33 GHz
Base Clock
1.4 GHz
3.33 GHz+138%
L3 Cache
2 MB (total)
0 kB
L2 Cache
256K (per core)+12700%
2 MB (total)
Process
32 nm-29%
45 nm
Architecture
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Wolfdale (2008−2010)
PassMark
1,148
1,155
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Memory & Platform

The Pentium 977 uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium E6800 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeaturePentium 977Pentium E6800
Socket
BGA1023
LGA775
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0+82%
PCIe 1.1
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Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium 977 was priced at $134, while the Pentium E6800 came in at $86. On launch pricing ($134 vs $86), Pentium E6800 was $48 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium 977 delivers 8.6 pts/$ vs 13.4 pts/$ for the Pentium E6800 — making the Pentium E6800 the 44.2% better value option.

FeaturePentium 977Pentium E6800
MSRP
$134
$86-36%
Performance per Dollar
8.6
13.4+56%
Release Date
2012
2010

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